Pitchfork Festival 2018

Festival guide

Another year, another reminder that the Pitchfork brand is inextricably linked with some of the finest, coolest music going. Case in point: none other than Ms. Lauryn Hill is headlining this year's Union Park, Chicago event, where she'll be performing her seminal Miseducation album in full. With a legend like Chaka Khan in the mix, alongside today's stars (including Moses Sumney, Blood Orange, Tame Impala and more), July 20 to July 22 looks set to be a magic weekend. Check out the full line-up here, and browse our guide below.

Top picks

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    Lauryn Hill

    Well, really, does she need an introduction? In an era when female MCs are finally getting their dues, the original rap queen, the enigmatic Ms Hill is out here performing in celebration of the 20th anniversary of her only solo album, the phenomenal The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. A seamless blend of soul, hip-hop and raw, powerful vulnerability, seeing that album in full on the Sunday night is sure to be something special.

    Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
    • 16-bit FLAC
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    Blood Orange

    Low-key, Blood Orange (real name Devonté Hynes) might just be the coolest, most vital man in pop right now. You might know him from his work with other artists (Solange, Sky Ferreira), or indeed his past life as Lightspeed Champion, but as Blood Orange he's crafted some of the most gorgeous albums of the past few years: Freetown Sound is one of the albums of the past ten years. Lithe, synth-laden R&B topped off with insightful social commentary, this Londoner-turned-New Yorker is next level, and this gig on the Saturday should be magic.

    Blood Orange - Freetown Sound
    • 16-bit FLAC
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    Tame Impala

    There can’t be many songwriters who can slip the lyric, “She was holding hands with Trevor, not the greatest feeling ever,” into a song and emerge unscathed. It’s credit to Kevin Parker’s sheer creativity that notoriously-pernickety critics everywhere not only let that clanger slide but went on to hail his third LP as one of 2015’s finest offerings. Quite right too: Currents was a veritable psych-pop odyssey, subtly infused with disco, funk and soul. Hear its manifold highlights and - presumably - some new material during the Aussie rockers' Friday headline slot.

Big names

Don't miss